Our dojo has protocols. Every dojo does, really. These protocols–our expectations of behavior when in the dojo–govern our actions and habits in the dojo, and ultimately help us develop our karate skills and our training spirit in the safest possible environment. Not all dojos follow the same protocols as others, and not all dojos teach their students anything about the protocols other than “it’s just what we do.”
In our dojo, each member is governed by the protocols of the dojo equally; the Instructor, the Black Belts and the students. Though the Head Instructor is “in charge” of the group, most of the rules were probably not created by him or her. Though he or she may be caused at times to enforce the protocols when they are gravely or repeatedly ignored, this is a direct enactment of responsibility to the good of the dojo and to the good of all members of the dojo.
In most cases, the Head Instructor has completely internalized the protocols to the point of the protocols simply being a part of his or her daily routine habits in the dojo. Other Black Belts who are serving in an instructional capacity and advanced students who wish to advance to the Black Belt levels may not give much thought to this, but I recommend that you do. To the uninitiated, the Head Instructor may at times seem to not even notice when newer members do not heed the protocols, except in the most extreme infractions. This does not mean that infractions should be ignored! It is a ruse, of course, to allow the Black Belts and other advanced students to develop and demonstrate their leadership skills. If these advanced students are not doing their part, then and only then will the Head Instructor have to step in. It is really best if advanced students are vigilant about this: you are expected to be the enforcers of dojo protocol within the dojo setting. You are the ones who are attempting to prove that you indeed understand the protocols and are worthy of promotion to higher rank or status. Advanced students are expected to model proper dojo protocols and etiquette at all times, and are expected to help newer students learn to do the same. Be sure that you know the protocols of the dojo! Be sure also to learn how to teach and enforce the protocols properly. If you don’t know, you better take responsibility for yourself and start asking.
At any rate, all students should learn that the protocols are in fact very old; they are part of the dojo tradition. The instructor was governed by the same protocols as he or she ascended the ranks as was his or her instructor, and his or her instructor’s instructor before that, and so on, back through time. Granted, some protocols may have been modified over time to meet the evolving needs of the modern dojo; for example: at one time in our history, protective gear was not required for sparring. Why? Because it had not yet been invented. The rule for sparring was simply “Exercise control of your technique and do not harm your partner during sparring”. Now, with the invention and availability of protective gear, all students in our dojo are required to wear it when engaged in sparring. Despite such a major development, the essential protocol remains intact: Exercise control of your technique and do no harm to your partner; safety first.
For the group to function well, the protocols of the dojo cannot be subject to individual interpretation. Clean does not mean clean by one’s personal standards- it means clean by the Instructor’s standard, and that standard must become everyone’s standard. Correct is correct. Proper is proper. If a student’s belt is not correctly tied, then it is simply not correctly tied. If a student does not notice the error on his/her own, then a higher rank will point it out and give assistance until the student learns to tie the knot correctly. Expert members have internalized the protocols to the point where the rule no longer defines them, but rather they, through their behavior, define the rule. This is our dojo’s goal for all of our members.
Our society, like all others, has protocols of good citizenship. We live in the United States of America—a free country. But having freedom does not mean there are no rules; in fact, freedom, to be successful requires not only that there are rules, but that citizens responsibly follow them. Take as an example the rules of the road. It is relatively safe for all of us to travel the roadways in our country because there are rules in place that all drivers are expected to follow, with little room for interpretation. “Driving on the right” doesn’t mean straddling the center line with your right tires on the right side of the line, and it doesn’t mean driving so far to the right that you’re on the shoulder; it means to keep your vehicle completely in the right lane. Imagine a world with no traffic lights, no lines on the road, no speed limits… What would it be like to drive there? Compare this to the dojo, and picture one with no protocols. What would it be like to train in such a place? It would certainly not be safe.
Dojo Life 